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Yashoda Jayanti

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Yashoda Jayanti Tales are forever told of the epitome- that is Mother's love. A love so divine, so strong that nothing compares. An un-conditionality that is not found else where and that is the strength of a Mother. She who loves her child irrespective of the world around, for whom there is nothing more perfect than her little one. She can nurture as well as ferociously growl at any adversary that may come towards her child, such is the love of a Mother. One such Mother of legend is Yashoda.  Significance Yashoda is the foster-mother to Lord Krishna and wife of Nanda in the Puranic texts of Hinduism. Within the Bhagavata Purana, it is described that Krishna who was born to Devaki, was given to Yashoda and Nanda in Gokul exchanging her daughter Subhadra by Krishna's father Vasudeva on the night of his birth, for his protection from Devaki's brother, Kansa, the king of Mathura. According to Devi Bhagwat Purana, Kansa, the ruler of Mathura had decided to

Utpana Ekadasi

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The merits of Fasting on an Ekadasi has well been listed. Since times long, the praying and fasting on the day of Ekadasi has been held dear. To abstain from grains and devote one self in the name of the Lord is much desirous on this day. Yes, we do not need specific days to remember the God Supreme, but amidst our busy schedules these days remind us that there is one above towards whom we need to be grateful. Utpanna Ekadashi is another holy day that is observed on Ekadashi Tithi (the eleventh day). The day of Utpanna Ekadashi takes place during the months of November-December. This Ekadasi is considered as the origin of Ekadasi . Mythological Significance In Satya Yuga, there was an awful Demon named Mura. Mura was extremely powerful and awful. With his extraordinary powers Mura defeated not only God Indra but also many other Gods and stared ruling Indra Loka. To end the tyranny of Mura all Gods went to Lord Shiva to seek some help. Lord Shiva suggested them to approach Lo

Mahalaya Amavas

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Mahalaya Amavas Every moment, everything around us is a gift. The intelligence with which we live our lives, the knowledge to  read, the knowhow of everything possible is but a gift. This very life that  we live, is a gift. A gift from the  ones who were before us. All those great men and women,  who contributed for us being here. Be it science or the mystery of creation, human life changed the day man decided to live together. To give  up his wanderings and to settle in a place called home. When emotions  like love, harmony, trust and respect  found their place and a family was made. The family , that we are proud of. The heritage that we take pride  in - each of it is a gift. One we have to be eternally grateful for. The ancestors are the foundation of who we  are, they are of us, and they  once were where we are now Mahalaya Amavasya, the new moon falling in the Hindu Month of Bhadraprada is one such occasion where  homage is paid to our ancestors. Thos

Honouring the New Moon

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There is never a right moment to bring positive changes into our lives. Nor is there a set method to honor the Gods. Every sunrise brings along a day of truth and one filled with hope and promises. . Rituals are a way to mark turning points in our lives. They can be used to symbolically welcome changes in our life. They can be simple or elaborate ones. The most important thing is our full presence in the moment. It's important to come up with a ritual that has meaning , instead of trying to follow any set guidelines. You're the one that knows your personal story best, and what to lift out of that narrative, what will infuse your ritual with power. Significance The time of the new moon is a time to breathe in deeply and move into a calm state of mind. In this state, you can watch your emo­tions come and go and not be affected by them. In this calm­ness, you begin to see your life more clearly; you begin to see what is possible. New Moon workings can be done fr

Karva Chauth

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Karva Chauth To celebrate the one you love. To honour the one you forever want to be with. A day of love, honour and respect, firmly tied with the strings of a prayer. “Karva Cahuth”. Karwa is another word for pot (a small earthen pot of water) and chauth means 'fourth' in Hindi (a reference to the fact that the festival falls on the fourth day of the dark-fortnight, or krishna paksh, of the month of Kartik). Karwa Chauth is an annual one-day festival celebrated by Hindu women. Mythological Significance The Story of Queen Veeravati A long long time ago, there lived a beautiful princess named Veeravati. The only sister of seven loving brothers, she was married to a king. On the occasion of her first Karva Chauth after her marriage, she went to her parents' house. After sunrise, she observed a strict fast. However, the queen couldn't stand the rigors method of fasting and was desperately waiting for the moon to rise. The seven brothers who loved her dearly,

The Month of Oak

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We call ourselves advanced and developed and still we fail to acknowledge essentials that our ancestors respected and honored. Our very existence on this planet is a boon of Mother Nature, but every so often we fail to recognize it. The Celts, though an ancient civiliasation recognized this fact and honored a tree every month. The period between June 10 th and July 7 th is dedicated to the great Oak and it represents the letter ‘D’ in the Ogham alphabet. ·          Planet: Jupiter and Mars ·          Element: Water ·          Symbolism: Sovereignty, rulership, power,    Strength & Endurance, Generosity & Protection, Justice & Nobility, Honesty & Bravery ·          Stone: Diamond, Aventuring ·          Metal: Gold ·          Birds: Oriole, Wren ·          Color: Gold ·          Deity: The Dagda, The Green Man, Janus, Diana, Cybele, Hecate, Pan ·          Sabbat: Summer Solstice (Litha) ·          Folk Names: Jove's Nuts, Juglans Zodiacal

Apara Ekadasi

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Apara Ekadasi occurs during the waning phase of moon in the month of Jyeshtha (May – June). Fasting on this Ekadashi is beneficial to those people who are suffering from remorse or guilt due to sin or sins committed. One can attain moksha by observing a fast on Apara Ekadasi. Krishna also mentions that one who observes this particular Ekadashi will become famous through meritorious deeds. Observing this Ekadasi removes the remorse associated with not performing a particular action, when the person had the opportunity to do it but shied away. Mythological Significance Sri Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June)? I wish to hear from You the glories of this sacred day of Hari. Please narrate everything to me" Lord Sri Krishna said, "Oh king, your inquiry is wonderful because the answer will benefit the whole human society. This Ekadasi i